Early Life and Career Background
Sunita Lynne Williams, born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, is a retired U.S. Navy officer and NASA astronaut. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science from the U.S. Naval Academy and later became a naval aviator before joining NASA in 1998.
NASA Spaceflight Experience
Williams flew on Space Shuttle mission STS-116 in 2006 and served as a flight engineer on Expedition 14/15. She later launched to the International Space Station on Expedition 32/33 in 2012, where she served as flight engineer and commander of Expedition 71/72 aboard Boeing Starliner's first crewed mission in 2024–2025.
Records and Key Facts
Williams holds the record for the most cumulative spacewalking time by a woman, with multiple extravehicular activities supporting station assembly and maintenance. She also completed the Boston Marathon while aboard the International Space Station in 2007, logging the race on a treadmill.
For detailed mission timelines and biographical data, refer to the official NASA biography at NASA Sunita Williams biography.
